CRICKET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9165, Issue 9164, 14 March 1910, Page 5

CRICKET.

| NOTES. AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU. (BY "Mid-ON.") Tho arrangements for the match on Wednesday next are almost completed. A working beo of enthusiasts will visit the grounds on Monday and Tuesday nights to assist Mr Goldspring in getting the ground in readiness for tho anticipated largo attendance. The wicket on which the game is to be played is situated in tho centre of the oval, and it has been carefully nursed for weeks past. It is in excellent order, and it will not be the groundsman's fault if it is not equal to any wicket tho visitors have yet played on. I understand that the whole of the oval will be rolled, and after tho rain tho field should be fast to play on and bonny to look at. The grandstand needs a lot of attention, however, as the seats are anything but clean, and as quite a number of ladies will probably attend the match it behoves the Council to see into this matter. Mrs Rawlins is erect-

ing a huge marquee on the lawn, where she will dispense afternoon tea. and given fine weather the Sports Ground should present a very picturesque appearance on Wednesday next. The Cricket Association has arranged with Mr Woodfield to run 'buses to and from tho match, and what with the motors for hire the conveyance of the public should bo satisfactory.

Only a few matches are being played by the Australians in Now Zealand, and it is a credit to the sporting spirit of Palmerston that it has managed to secure one of those matches. It is hoped that for the good name of the place the public will attend in goodly numbers, and so afford the visitors the best of all receptions. Nothing is more ap-

preciatecl by a visiting team than a welcome from a large crowd of spectators, and the exposition of any game

is also mucJi enhanced by it. The Association has done everything

in its power to ensure a gate, and the charges for admission are very reasonable, considering the amount of expense entailed. Cricket is a good clean game, and as a rule it receives less support

from the public of New Zealand than any other sport. I sincerely hope that on Wednesday the local enthusiasts will be awarded the support they richly deserve from the public. It is unfortunate that the Fire Board have chosen Wednesday next to lay the foundation-stone of their new station, but it is hoped that the function will be over in time for those interested Jo see the beginning of the match.

The team to represent Manawatu is the best combination we have had here for years. Nearly every member can bowl, and as it is country cricket I think it will be found that Palmerston and Fcilding have nothing to be ashamed of. Palmerston provides eight and Feilding five of the representatives. There are three or four excellent break bowlers, and two fast swerve bowlers, to say nothing of fast to medium-paced men. The team lacks a slow lob-bowler, one of those patient players most useful in breaking up partnerships. The batting perhaps is weak, but is above the average found in country cricket, as has been proved in matches played by local representatives against Wanganui, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua. I am sure that if the members of our team can forget the fact that they are playing famous cricketers they will show up very favourably. SATURDAY'S GAMES.

The Barraud Cup competition was continued on Saturday in line weather and on a soft wicket after Friday's rain. Old Boys B did not keep up the promise of a good fight against Feilding, and at present, their position is precarious. They had a deficiency of 29 on the first innings, and Feilding in their second effort knocked up 154 for five wickets, Mason, Trevena and Ongley being the chief scorers. Old Boys fielding was wretched, and numerous catches were dropped. Requiring over 180 to win the B's made a very bad start, losing six wickets for 50 when stumps were drawn, the only players to stand up to the bowl ing being Mitchell and Jickell, the for mer compiling 2J (not out), and the latter 12. also not out. So far the B's have only played one match to a finish during the competition, both games against Feilding heing in the indecisive 6tage. United rather easily disposed of Old Boys A. The remainder of the latter's five wickets fell for 11 runs, and they consequently needed 119 to save an inning's defeat. They chose to follow on, arid made a much better showing, putting up the rather good score of 162. the rungetters being McKenzie, Greer, Wakelin, Cox and Oakley. McKenzie compiled 68 by steady cricket; he had a life from Skclley early in his innings, but otherwise gave a good display of cricket. Bartlett did the hat trick, disposing of McKenzie, Waghorn and Churchill. United were only asked to get 43 runs to win, and they accomplished their purpose with the loss of one wicket, Coyne and Boon making the runs. The Cheltenham Cricket Club won the Guthrie Shield on Saturday by defeating Rovers, and being the second consecutive win the club retain possession of the trophy. The other teams competing were Colyton, Sandon, Rongotea and Haloombe.